On 4 May 2006 16:45:50 -0700, "Guy Elden Jr"
wrote in .com::

Basically my theory is that mid-airs can only happen when both pilots
are inattentive, or neither can see the other due to a perfect
alignment obscuring both planes behind wings, struts, or what have you.

Of course that theory fails to consider the closing speed of the
aircraft.

There was a military/civil MAC on November 16, 2000 in which an F-16
at about 500 knots impacted a C-172. Although the C-172 pilot was
banked 45 degrees away from the F-16 at the time of impact, it only
took one pilot not seeing the other to cause this MAC.

You can read about it he http://tinyurl.com/jzxhk

The F-16 pilot ejected, and the ATP rated Cessna pilot and his
aircraft were scattered over 4 acres of golf course. The flight lead
received a verbal reprimand despite violating several regulations such
as speeding through congested Class B and C terminal airspace without
a clearance, ...